AT Think

At just 17 years of age, Belicia Cespedes of Canyon Country, CA has earned her CPA license, in addition to earning her bachelor's degree and completing two years of part-time work experience under a licensed CPA, according to The Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

As many firms begin their various, charitable drives as the holiday season approaches, some have started their efforts well before the end of the year. Namely, WeiserMazars' Woodbury, NY office has been regularly donating their time and efforts since early summer to the Mercy INN, located at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Wyandanch, NY. The soup kitchen serves hot lunches to those in need, Monday through Friday, year-round.

Officials at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were briefed on a new report from George Washington University School of Business graduate students participating in a groundbreaking effort to improve the effectiveness of financial disclosure for investors.

From time to time professionals get frustrated with their referral relationships - specifically, the amount of time that passes between their first interaction with a potential referral source and when they actually get a quality referral. I remind them that there are several moving pieces to every referral relationship that need to be considered before becoming frustrated at a lack of results.

I watched the amplification of social business happen last week at the CCH User Conference.

On Monday, Jeff Phillips, CEO of accounting careers website Accountingfly, addressed GroPro 2014 on how to best handle modern-day recruiting for the accounting profession. His presentation, entitled "Recruit Like the Big Four," emphasized a larger focus on investing in technology and talent in hiring top-notch candidates.

A group known as the Climate Disclosure Standards Board is readying an updated Climate Change Reporting Framework that aims to tie environmental information in with financial reporting for investors.

Last Saturday, CohnReznick participated in the American Cancer Society’s "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Santa Monica 5K”, in honor of the firm’s chief of staff, Risa Lavine, and all women in the CohnReznick family who are affected by the disease. CohnReznick was the top team contributor and the sixth national Making Strides contributor, raising over $70,000.

The Illinois CPA Society will honor three of its members with the 10th annual "Women to Watch" awards, recogniing contributions to both the accounting profession and the development of women as leaders.

BDO USA recently completed its third annual "Week of Service" that positively affects communities nationwide. During the week, BDO staff volunteered more than 3,000 hours of their time and was able to raise or donate almost $28,000 to worthy causes, impacting almost 10,000 people.